Dr. Herman Spilker began his career as a cardiologist in Naples over 25 years ago and is 1 of the 13 physicians on staff at the Naples Heart Institute.  He specializes in the long-term care of chronic cardiac conditions and the initial diagnosis of heart disease and hypertension.

Dr. Spilker began volunteering at the Neighborhood Health Clinic over 2 ½ years ago to provide these special services to patients who otherwise could not afford it.  He believes that because the low-income working but uninsured patients at the Clinic can receive quality care and affordable medications to treat existing cardiac problems, they can be more productive in their daily lives and avoid seeking treatment from hospital emergency rooms.

There is no history of heart disease in Dr. Spilker’s family, but to stay heart healthy he doesn’t smoke and he walks 5 hours a week. “Walking is the best thing you can do for your body.  Walking is not very stressful on the body and has a variety of positive effects” said Dr. Spilker.  Walking reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and has positive effects on mental well-being.